My 32nd birthday was last Monday, September 28th, and my wife Gina and I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time having coffee and talking with a hero of mine that I am more than humbled to call my friend. Tony DiTerlizzi has been a constant positive influence in my aspirations to illustrate for children for the past 6 years and during a stop in Cincinnati for the Spiderwick Farewell Tour, he set up a meeting time for us at the hotel. He and Holly Black spent time with us over coffee, just talking about what the Spiderwick life has been like, what their future plans are and looking over each other’s art and sketchbooks. We later attended a presentation/book signing with them at a super cool kid’s book store called the Blue Manatee where I had the opportunity to meet Loren Long, another very incredible illustrator and a super humble and good person. He sat with Gina and I after the store closed and reviewed my portfolio, gave me encouragement and shared his heart and passion with us.
Needless to say, this was an incredible time for a guy like me, who has been a huge fan of childrens books all my life and dreams of illustrating and writing. I hope I can make their time well spent and worth it by becoming successful in this wonderful field someday and returning these favors to new aspiring illustrators as well!
Thanks Tony, Holly and Loren.
2 comments:
Hey Joe,
I'm so excited you guys were able to do that. Your meeting must have been so inspiring. I love the new postings. Checking everyday, almost. Hope to see you soon. Jolly Pirate night is in order!
Joe!
That sure was nice of Tony and Loren to meet you like that.
You probably saw the potential for yourself in what they already accomplished. That's a great feeling!
Happy belated birthday, Joe!
-Dean
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